M-Audio AV 40
Manufacturer: M-Audio Part number: StudiophileAV40
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 is a PC speaker for music lovers who care more about sound quality than compact size or rock bottom pricing.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | In stock Get free shipping on orders over $25! | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 05/23/2012 |
 Savings, Selection & Service since 1971 | | In stock | as of 05/23/2012 | |
| TheNerds.net | | In stock | as of 05/23/2012 | |
| Costcentral.com | | In stock | as of 05/23/2012 | |
| Provantage | | In stock | as of 05/23/2012 |
CNET editors' review
M-Audio AV 40 price range: $110.84 - $179.99
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 03/27/2008
The good: The Studiophile AV 40 is a larger-than-average PC speaker system that makes a bigger-than-average sound; large 4-inch woofer, 1-inch tweeter; 20 watts per speaker; rock solid medium-density fiberboard construction; Bass Boost switch.
The bad: Large size (for PC/desktop speakers) may be an issue for some buyers.
The bottom line: M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 is a PC speaker for music lovers who care more about sound quality than compact size or rock bottom pricing.
Not to sound condescending, but M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 Desktop Speaker System makes most PC and multimedia speakers seem rather puny by comparison. It's not just their size (the M-Audio speakers resemble desktop studio monitors); if you listen to a lot of CDs, watch DVDs, or play games on your computer, M-Audio's larger-than-average speakers should be on your short list. They sounded bigger, delivered more bass, and played louder than the other PC speakers we had on hand. True, the big speakers might be a little too big for some buyers, but if sound quality is high up on your list, you'll find a way to squeeze these bad boys onto your desktop. They're also a great choice if you're looking for a good pair of powered speakers to use with any sort of nonamplified audio device, such as an iPod dock, CD player, or digital audio device.
Design
The M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 system consists of a pair of 8.75-inch-tall desktop speakers. While that doesn't sound very big, the speaker's 6-inch width and 7.25-inch depth make for a fairly bulky design. They weigh 14 pounds each.
The tweeter and woofer are each covered with black mesh grilles. The matte-finished vinyl-wrap and medium-density fiberboard cabinets look and feel more like hi-fi speakers than the usual plastic PC/multimedia speakers. The left speaker is easily distinguished from the right because it's the one with a volume-control knob, which is encircled in blue light.
M-Audio's more affordable Studiophile AV 20 and AV 30 share the AV 40's basic feature set, but are somewhat smaller in size.
Features
The rear of the left speaker has stereo RCA inputs. Combined with the included 3.5mm to RCA stereo cable, that means you can pretty much connect anything with a headphone or line-out jack to the speakers, be it your computer, an iPod, DVD player, and so forth. The speaker includes quarter of an inch "TRS" inputs for professional applications, as well. The left speaker also houses the power on/off and Bass Boost switches, as well as the push-clip connectors that you use to run the included hookup wire over to the right speaker. Up front there's a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 3.5mm auxiliary input to connect any sort of portable device, such as an iPod.
The AV 40 features a two-way design; each speaker has a 4-inch polypropylene-coated woofer and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter. The built-in amplifier delivers 20 watts per channel.
Performance
The Studiophile AV 40 immediately impressed us when we played some of our favorite Rolling Stones tunes. We cranked the volume up nice and loud and the sound remained clear while the bass was punchy. When we experimented with the Bass Boost control, it added a nice kick and didn't become overblown or boomy.
The Buena Vista Social Club CD demonstrated a different side of the Studiophile AV 40's talents--the soundstage between the two speakers had an open, unboxy sound that smaller PC speakers can't match. Vocals in particular benefited from this open quality. The acoustic bass instruments sounded very natural, defined, and powerful demonstrating the Studiophile AV 40 as a good hi-fi speaker.
The horse racing scenes on the Seabiscuit DVD were exciting and intense. The film's orchestral score didn't sound shrill and anemic the way it does on many smaller PC speakers. Sure, big-time home-theater dynamics are beyond the capabilities of the Studiophile AV 40, but its size advantages over smaller PC speakers on special-effects-laden DVD movies such as Serenity will be obvious to even the most casual of listeners. That said, as good as the Studiophile AV 40 is, it's still not on par with a decent home theater in a box system.
Rounding things out, we fired up Unreal Tournament 3 for some online fragging and came away satisfied. Gamers will appreciate the big speakers' muscle and power on the virtual battlefield and for online play.
User reviews
-
-
Most musical PC speakers I've used.
by seamus49 on April 1, 2008
Pros: Incredible imaging; close your eyes and the individual speaker sound sources disappear. Nothing but a broad, natural soundstage.
Cons: Footprint a little large for cramped desktops.
Summary: None of the low-volume graininess of my previous speakers; fade-outs disappear cleanly.
These little guys are ACCURATE! I'm using them to track with PC studio software and then mixing ...Summary: None of the low-volume graininess of my previous speakers; fade-outs disappear cleanly.
These little guys are ACCURATE! I'm using them to track with PC studio software and then mixing down on my main studio monitors. The AV40's are extremely close in sonic character to my bigger speakers so very little EQ'ing is necessary. My CD and MP3 collections have new life. All in all, I'm extremely pleased and would recommend them without reservations>10 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Wow, now that's clarity
by bob68111 on October 17, 2008
Pros: The sound quality is absolutely amazing: clear, clear, clear, at any volume. I had bought an Altec-Lansing 2.1 system (VS4121BLK) for $100, which was great loud but terribly muffled otherwise. So I returned it and bought the AV40 for $150.
Cons: They eat up a lot of desk space. It's annoying that the on/off switch is only on the back, though at least the speakers don't seem to have any noticeable hum when left on.
Summary: These sound just as good as (if not better than) the much-more-expensive Bose speakers in my living room and car. Very impressive.
Summary: These sound just as good as (if not better than) the much-more-expensive Bose speakers in my living room and car. Very impressive.
6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Awesome Sound!
by fgonz2008 on December 2, 2008
Pros: Clear true sound, powerful, great craftsmanship, heavy & solid. Look cool with DELL XPS PC
Cons: Short cables
Summary: 1st bought Altec Lansing FX4021..bad choice for apartment dweller due to bass from sub overpowered mid range. Then bought these at Best Buy and true beautiful sound. Can add ...
Summary: 1st bought Altec Lansing FX4021..bad choice for apartment dweller due to bass from sub overpowered mid range. Then bought these at Best Buy and true beautiful sound. Can add bass with Itunes eq and may add the Altec sub some day but for now rock, salsa, R&B, reggae sound great. Can handle Rap too but may not have enough bass for some but I dont have to worry about neighbors banging the wall. Looking now for some longer cables and nice stands, Matches my DELL XPS PC even down to the blue light around the volumne. Sound so great I'm losing too much sleep mixing songs on the PC.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
The best pc speakers out there
by debaaszelluf on September 17, 2008
Pros: Sound quality!!
Nice bass even though it's not a subwoofer system.
Sound quality!!
Sound quality!!Cons: There relatively big for pc-speakers (doesn't trouble me though)
High Price (But it is definitly worth the money)Summary: If you want the best sound quality out of pc speakers en you don't care to spend about $100,- this is the perfect choice.
Summary: If you want the best sound quality out of pc speakers en you don't care to spend about $100,- this is the perfect choice.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Hands down for the price these are great speakers.
by bforet on September 18, 2009
Pros: I love listening to music at my pc and the quality and sound of these is superior to most others I've heard. Solid built quality speakers with excellent sound. No hum and no distortion.
Cons: I thought I was going to have a problem with the on-off switch on the back of the speaker but that is an easy trade off now that I have heard them.
Summary: The bass booster switch on the back is a nice feature when listening to differing selections from rock to classical. The Aux-in and phone jacks on the front are also ...
Summary: The bass booster switch on the back is a nice feature when listening to differing selections from rock to classical. The Aux-in and phone jacks on the front are also convenient features too. But by far buy these for the sound......I should never have waited so long to purchase them.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Tight, Accurate.
by nolabar10der on January 25, 2009
Pros: At this price point, easily the most accurate and well-built powered speakers available.
Cons: Some list the size as a con, but factor in the missing subwoofer
Summary: I'm very impressed with the fidelity of these speakers. 'Fidelity' is a phrase you won't hear too much of in the PC speaker category, owing mostly to bloated ...
Summary: I'm very impressed with the fidelity of these speakers. 'Fidelity' is a phrase you won't hear too much of in the PC speaker category, owing mostly to bloated subwoofers drowning out poorly matched, resonant and single-driver satellites. Rather than impress kids with wall-shaking power, the M-Audio rigs aim for adults and budget audiophiles with clean, balanced, and well-imaged sound. The bonus is the lack of a sub cluttering your space, and those supremely presented mids and highs being able to sail through your workspace. I can't stress enough how happy you'll be without that bombastic low end once you hear how your recordings are meant to sound.
Will you be thumping any block parties? Hell no. Will you be smiling each time a subtle nuance that you never heard in your favorite song presents itself? Oh hell yeah. That's what good music should be...a treat through the entire spectrum and not just the equivalent of sitting next to some tool at a traffic light.
One note: These are no good for DVDs, or rather, they're no good if you're expecting rumbling explosions. Those vented subs that come with 2.1 sets are designed exactly for that, and not so much for tightness or accuracy. You'll want to stick with music or lower volume DVDs / TV with the M-Audios. I'd hardly call that a con since these are clearly designed for your tunes or recording projects. Still, I thought I'd throw that out there.
These are not 'audiophile' grade, but they are close enough, and certainly light years ahead of other powered speakers in the price range. I mean, it's not even close. At a current price of appx. $130, you'd be stupid to NOT buy them.
Side tip: If your workspace dictates that the M-Audios be placed near a wall, try stuffing the port with a sock to eliminate the wall's reflective issues with the rear-firing port. This will tighten the bass failry dramatically at a slight expense of 'extension' in the sound. Ideally, you'll have these a couple of feet from the wall, but if not, the sock method is a great compromise and poses no damage to the speaker. Just sayin'2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Incredible speakers for a good price
by sunburntbum on November 19, 2008
Pros: Very nice sound, incredible clarity, and good bass. Sound clear and undistorted at high volumes.
Cons: Perhaps not enough bass for some (although tbh, ive found the songs actually sound better with the lower bass...and im a bass enthusiast)
Summary: I recently ordered these, and i was blown away by how good they sound. I was originally worried that there may not be enough bass (as some reviews had complained ...
Summary: I recently ordered these, and i was blown away by how good they sound. I was originally worried that there may not be enough bass (as some reviews had complained about the lack of it), but i decided to go ahead and get them anyway, and i couldnt be happier with them. They have a very good depth of sound, give a nice warm feel to the music, and are very very clear, even at high volumes. They also look very nice, although they are bigger than normal desktop speakers. About the bass: this was my primary concern, and as i said before, i didnt even notice a lack. If you truly find you need more, then just get a subwoofer. For the money, these are the best computer speakers out there.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Blow 5.1 systems out of the water. Awesome clarity!
by lbgolfer66 on November 4, 2008
Pros: Great Sound from only 2 speakers. Can plug in your MP3 player as well or use alone as just stereo speakers. Really cool. I'm glad I read up on it on CNET. The 2.1 system I was looking at no comarision in sound! Trust Me! If you love music get these.
Cons: A little Heavy for those looking to hide their speakers but stylish enough!
Summary: For the Money...get these...you won't have any regrets! Thanks CNET!
I bought mine at provantage for $120 plus shipping....$134. Very reasonable for such good quality speakers.Summary: For the Money...get these...you won't have any regrets! Thanks CNET!
I bought mine at provantage for $120 plus shipping....$134. Very reasonable for such good quality speakers.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Fantastic Set, Probably the Best Consumer-Line Speakers
by Animator88 on August 14, 2010
Pros: 1) All the sound detail of a lower-end professional studio monitor without the extra cost.
2) Beautiful low-volume sound quality, no need to pump these things to get that fantastic sound.
3) Magnet Shielding.Cons: Setting up - Finding the best height to put these things at to get the best sound. As well, your environment will come into play.
Summary: I've had these speakers for over a year now, and they do everything I could possibly want from a speaker plus more. Listening to a nice 92khz/24bit audio ...
Summary: I've had these speakers for over a year now, and they do everything I could possibly want from a speaker plus more. Listening to a nice 92khz/24bit audio source is fantastic, levels are even all around, and gives that sense of openness to tracks that provide it.
I usually run the system sound on my iMac at full volume, but leave the speaker volume at only 1/10 or 1/9th of the knob turn. They provide ample sound without having to crank it.
I first tested these out with a CD of Louis Armstrong (at 44khz/16bit), and then some really detailed jazz music. It blew me away at how much these speakers pick up and reveal to you.
Also, M-Audio gives a setup guide of how to set them up. Environmental factors come into play, so make sure that you are aware of that fact.
As a word of warning, do not play 128kbs or less MP3's on these things. 128kbs or less is crap, and you'll be able to tell on these speakers.
If you get this set, enjoy them by playing the best quality audio you can find. I've enjoyed them for little over a year and I can say it's more than a pleasure to use them everyday.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
One of the best values today in computer speakers
by austin416 on April 22, 2010
Pros: Very clear. Seems to reproduce sound flatly (a good thing) and accurately
The highs sound true and not overbearing. The mids/lows sound full and tight not 'loose'
The real answer you're looking for, are they worth the $120 I paid? Yes. Very much so.Cons: Stands are required for optimal sound or if space is at a premium on your desk.
They really come to life when you connect them via USB Audio-Interface (cheap ones are about 100 bucks, but they're getting cheaper by the day) with RCA or TRS outputs.Summary: I hate to give yet another 4 star rating, but perhaps I just have good taste and no a value when I see one. I really do not see many ...
Summary: I hate to give yet another 4 star rating, but perhaps I just have good taste and no a value when I see one. I really do not see many downsides to these speakers, just as most seem to agree.
know*, Why won't it let me correct typos! aargg!
Other tidbits:
I expected the left speaker, which is where the amp is located, to become warmer than it does. It seems to warm up a bit at first, but ultimately plateaus rather quickly and stays at an agreeable level even through hours of sometimes heavy use.
These are by no means high-end monitors, but they do really come to life when attached to a usb audio-interface and you ditch the noisy and cheap 3.5mm stereo jack, perhaps the weakest link of all computer speakers these days. Think about it, your HDTV is using HDMI, so why are you still using that same crappy 3.5mm jack for your computer audio?
Produces vocal range very well.
I listen to all types of music from rap to piano rock to classical, so on. If you're into rap the most I think you could possibly be a little disappointed. The Bass Boost features is very useful, but does have it's limits, especially with the newer rap that has very long and loose low-end tones. Of course this is all opinion of the ear, but that's just something I have noticed. I find it to be acceptable. But I'm not a bass-freak.
If you're coming from cheap or ridiculous systems like Klipsch 2.1 (with the horn tweeters) it might be somewhat of an adjustment in sound, as these are much flatter.
As Bubba would say, "And that's...that's about it"
Thanks.
Updated on Apr 22, 20101 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: M-Audio
- Part number: StudiophileAV40
- Description: The compact Studiophile AV 40 powered reference monitors deliver the same proven M-Audio technology favored by top producers, recording engineers and musicians around the world. The combination of 4" polypropylene-coated drivers and 3/4" ferrofluid-cooled silk dome tweeters provides punchy lows, crisp highs and a balanced, uncolored response. Custom cabinets with dense wood construction deliver more accurate bass response than you could ever get from plastic multimedia speakers. The Studiophile AV 40 reference monitors are the perfect solution for traveling musicians or anyone who wants top-notch sound from their desktop multimedia system.
General
- Product Type Studio monitors
- Speakers included 2 x Speakers
- Width 6 in
- Depth 7.2 in
- Height 8.7 in
- Weight 13.9 lbs
- Enclosure Material MDF
Speaker Features
- Speaker Type 2-way - Active
- Woofer size (inches) 3/4 in,
4 in - Nominal Output Power (Total) 40 Watt
- Response Bandwidth 85 - 20000 Hz
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio 90 dB
- Output Level (SPL) 101.5 dB
- Crossover Frequency 2700Hz
- Output Features Bass Reflex
- Magnetic Shield Yes
- Audio Amplifier Integrated
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Controls Volume,
Power on/off,
Bass Speaker Details
- Features Studio monitors,
2 - 2-way - 20 Watt - 85 - 20000 Hz - 4 Ohm - Wired - Driver Details Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Tweeter driver - 3/4 in - Silk,
Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Woofer driver - 4 in - Kevlar
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Balanced audio input ( Phone stereo 6.3 mm x 2 ),
1 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ),
1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ),
1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse M-Audio products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:M-Audio
- Address:
75 Network Drive, Burlington, MA 01803 - Phone: 626-633-9050
- Email: info@m-audio.com
- Fax: 626-633-9060
